Game apparatus.



123. KsTLBR. GAME. APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13 1906.

, PATBN'LEDv MAY 2:34; 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

un mw N. 854.951. PATENTED MAY 28, 1907,

P. R. KISTLBB. v

GAME APPARATUS, APPLIoATroN-HLx-.D SEPT.' 1s. 190e.

z sums-SHEET 2,

THE Nonms PETER: cm, wasumown, l24 c4 UNITEDy sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

G AIVIE APPARATUS.

A Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented lVIay 28, 1907.

Application filed September 13,1906. Serial No. 334,526.

() rif/ZZ ull/1.0771, lit 711/157/ concern:

Be it known that I, FLORENTINE R. KIsT- LER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved game apparatus possessing special utility for advertising' and trading purposes.

To this end the invention contemplates a novel form of game apparatus which may be controlled for operation through the employment of a check or coin of. suitable value, and comprising means for permitting a player to make one of several possible scores through completing, by skill, a special word or designation; In this connection the apparatus is intended to be operated in a way where the game may be played for trading purposes, but in all cases providing for the return to the player of value received for his chance of making certain scores.

With these general objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

The essential features of the invention involved in combining a playing-projectile with a score sheet as a complement thereof, and means for catching or checking the projectile at a plurality of elevations, are necessarily susceptible to a wide range of modification without departing from the scope of the invention, but a preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1. is a front elevation of game apparat-usk constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the machine exposing the rear tally window through which the attendant may determine from the rear or behind the counter, when the projectile is in line to complete a Word or designation, and thereby tally a special score.- Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fi 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view o A the machine on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, exhibiting in elevation the locking device for the projectile catcher. Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation of the locking device for the projectile catcher. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective of the finger operated playing projectile which travels along the side of the score sheet or game field for makink scores in connection therewith.

Like re erences designate corresponding parts in the several figures .of the drawings. In carrying the invention into effect tie operative parts thereof are usually associated with a casing or frame 1 which provides a convenient support ,for such parts, and which also acts in the capacity of a receiver for the coins introduced into the same. Furthermore, by reason of housing and supporting all of the operative parts 1n connection with a single casing 1` the latter can be placed and. operated on the store counter, or fastened to the wall of the room, thus occupying a minimum space on the latter.

The casing 1 may be of any suitable dimensions or shape, but is preferably of an oblong rectangular form and of height or elevation to provide ample playing space for the movable body or projectile with which the game is played. The casing includes as a part thereof a front exhibiting panel 2 having therein an opening 3 in which is inserted a lass front or window 4 which covers and shlelds the score sheet 5, removably inserted in the holding grooves 6 formed in opposite side edges of the opening 3 in rear of the glass front or window 4. The said score sheet 5 may have exhibited thereon any suitable or desirable advertising matter, and upon the removal of the casing top 7 can be readily slid in and out of the groove 6, thereby providing a construction which permits different forms of score sheets 5 to be inserted in the exhibiting panel of the machine.

The score sheet 5 is not only utilized for exhibiting advertising matter, but is also provided upon the exposed face thereof with suitable directions for operating the machine, and with what may be characterized as a game field. This game field comprises those portions of the score sheet surface which are marked 0H for scoring purposes, and a convenient and practical arrangement of matter on the score sheet 5 is plainly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, in which the said sheet is illustrated as being provided with a plurality of advertising spaces 8 which alternate with score designations 9. In the preferable form of game played on the machine, these score designations preferably consist of an incomplete word, such for instance as the word tobacc with the final o omitted so that there only appears printed on the field of the score sheet the roo IOS

IIO

. stituting the highest score that can be made by the player.

The scoring of a point is only accomplished by the player bringing the final letter o opposite and in line with one of the incomplete Words or designations 9. This may be accomplished through skilful manipulation of the playing projectile 10 which is designed to be projected upward through a play chute 11 through the striking or flipping of the nger against the said projectile when in its lowermost or starting position. The play chute 11 is formed by suitable partitions Within the casing 1 and occupies a space, throughout the height of the machine along j side of and in parallelism. to the exhibiting panel which carries 'the score sheet 5, and the said chute 11 is of such dimensions as to provide space for the free bodily movement of the projectile in its up and down travel.

The play chute 11 for the playing projectile is provided at the front side of the casing with an observation window 12 through which the player observes the movement and position of the projectile, and at the rear side of the casing the said chute 11 is also provided with a tally window 13. At one side of this window 13 there are placed upon the rear side of the machine casing a series of tally indications 14 corresponding in number and position of the score designations 9 and providing means whereby the attendant of the machine may determine, from the rear thereof, when the projectile is in line to complete a score in connection with any of the designations 9. In addition to the front and rear windows 12 and 13 subserving the functions mentioned, the play chute 11 is provided in its side walls, at the inner side of and adjacent to the front ob servation Window with the opposite slide grooves or ways 15 which slidably receive therein the side guide ribs 16 formed upon opposite side edges of the projectile body 10. The projectile 10 may consist of a small rectangular block or Weight designed to be snapped or projected to an elevated position by the finger, and adapted to fall by gravity to its lowermost position or starting point when released from the retaining device therefor.

One of the distinctive features of the invention resides in providing the projectile block or Weight 10 upon the front face thereof with a scoring element 17, which, in the form of game shown, consists of the hn al letter o of the word. tobacco, so that when the projectile 10 is caught and held in line with one of the designations t) the partial word tobacc constituting such designation will be completed by the letter o o1' the projectile.

The projectile 10, in its lowermost starting position, projects slightly below the tower end of the observation window 12, and is held in such position by the stop or rest shoulders 1S or equivalent elements. Below the plane of this at-rest or starting position for the projectile 10 the front opening ot' the casing, in the plane of the window 12, is continued to the bottom of the casing to provide what may be termed a linger opening or slit 19 in which the :finger of the hand is inserted and snapped against the lower end of the projectile to ilip the same upward through the play chute 1 1 theretpr.

To protect and cushion the finger in its striking operation, the projectile body 111 is preferably provided at its lower end with a rubber, pneumatic, or equivalent strike cushion 2() which is plainly shown in Fig. 7 o1' the drawings. Also, it will be observed that immediately below the lower edge ol the glass plate or pane lconstit'uting the window proper 12, the casing has fitted therein the fixed guard pin 21 which shields the vfinger and hand from striking against the glass ol the window.

Another distinctive feature of the invention resides in the provision of means l'or catching and holding the projectile when the force of the blow, sending the sameup the chute has become spent. This is :mcomplished by employing a projectile catcher consisting of a bodily movable retaining catch bar 22. This catch bar 22 operates in a guiding opening 23 provided in the partition 24 between the play chute 1l and the mechanism coni'- partment 25 formed at the side of the casing opposite the exhibiting panel 2. lIence the bar 22 is so mounted as to be movable into and out of the vertical plane of the play chute 11, and into and out of the path of move ment of the projectile 10. The said retaining catch bar 22 is provided, upon what may be termed its engaging edge, with a longitlulinal series of ratchet catching teeth 24 which are inclined in a direction to permit the free upward travel of the projectile 10, which projectile is provided at one side thereolI with a normally outwardly sprung spring catch dog 25 having a downwardly disposed tree end adapted to drop into engagement with the nearest one of the teeth 24- when the upward movement of the projectile has spent itselt'.

To effect the proper yielding support and movement of the retaining catch bar 22 the latter is provided with a plurality of transversely disposed guide slots 26 working over the fixed supporting pins 27 secured. to the IOO lIO

front wall of the mechanism compartment 25 and the opposite ends of the bar 22 have suitably connected thereto the free ends of the retracting springs 28, the other ends of which are made fast, as at 29, to suitable points of support. The tension of the springs 28 is exerted in a direction for normally tending to retract the bar 22 out of the play chute and hence out of the path of interference of `the projectile, and to provide for holding the catch bar pressed into the chute 11 and into interfering relation to the projectile 10, there is employed a locking device consisting of a pair of upper and lower pivotal holding dogs 30 and 31 respectively. These upper and lower d ogs 30 and 3l are pivoted to the casing upon the pivot pins 32 and-are connected together for movement in unison by a connecting rod 33, having pivotal connection with each dog.

The two connecting dogs 30 and 31 normally drop by' gravity to a horizontal position resting upon the stop pins 34 and abutting against the untoothed edge of the retaining catch bar 22. Contiguous to the said dogs 30 and 3l the bar 22 is provided in one edge with the clearance notches 35 which permit the bar to recede over the dogs to the inactive position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

One of the holding dogs of the locking device, preferably the lower one 31, is formed at one side of its pivotal support with a release trigger extension 36 projecting into and across the coin chute 37 mounted at the inner side of the front wall of the mechanism compartment 25. This trigger extension lies 1n the path of the coin or check introduced into the upper end of the chute through the coin slot 38 in the front side of the casing.

The lower end of the coin chute 37 preferably delivers the coin into a coin trap 39 mounted at the inner side of the front wall of the casing in rear of a glass covered exhibiting window 40 formed in the casing wall and through which the attendant is afforded an opportunity to discover the playing of slugs or spurious coins. The coin trap 39 is intended to carry or hold several coins before dropping the same into the money receptacle orreceiver 41 in the bottom of the casing and this is effected by a tilting coin tray 42. This coin tray 42 is pivotally hung within the lower end portion of the coin trap 39 and the pivotal member thereof has connected therewith a supporting weight 43 which is sufficiently heavy to cause the tray 40 to hold a number of coins for inspection before the weight of the coins overcomes the weight of the weight 43 and causes the tray to tilt and deposit the coins into the receptacle or receiver 41.

To complete the locking device associated with the retaining catch bar 22 a setting slide 44 is used. Thevsaid slide 44 is slidably mounted in a guide opening 45 in one side of thecasing and the inner end thereof is slotted, as at 46, and loosely supported upon a guiding and holding pin 47. The slide is normally and yieldingly thrust outward by the return spring 48 which serves to return the slide to its normal outwardly thrust position after being once operated.

With'the retaining bar 22 projected intov the playing chute, as shown in Fig. 4, and held in such position by the dogs 30 and 31, the saine will serve to catch and pport the projectile when forced 1upward to a point opposite the score sheet 5. The projectile will remain in its suspended `position until it is desired to operate the machine again. Then it is necessary for another coin' to be introduced through the slot 38 and into the chute 37. Descending this chute the coin passes into contactwith the release trigger 36 with the result of depressing the latter and swinging the dogs 30 and 31 upwardly into the horizontal plane ofthe clearance notches 35 of the catch bar. This movement of the dogs 30 and 31 permits the retracting springs 29 to retract the retaining catch bar from supporting engagement with the dog 25 of the projectile, thereby allowing the latter to drop to its lowermost position or starting point on the stops 18. After this has occurred it is simply necessary to pcsh the setting slide 44 inward, which serves to move the catch bar 22 back into operative position within the playing chute, and at the same time permits the dogs 30 and 31 to gravitate to alocking position behind said bar.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and operation of the herein described game apparatus will be readily apparent without furthei description.

I claim: v

1. In a game apparatus, a casing having an exhibiting panel provided with a plurality of scoring designations, and having a play `chute and a finger slot at the lower end of such chute, a finger operated playing projectile slidably mounted in the chute and adapted to be exposed in said finger slot', said projectile bearing a designation coperating with said scoring designations, means for catching and holding the projectile at any one of a plrrality of elevations, and means for releasing the projectile to permit the same to gravitate to its starting point.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a casing having an exhibiting panel provided with a plurality of scoring designations, said casing being further provided with a play chute having front and rear windows, and a series of tallyindications along sideof the rear window, said casing also having a finger slot, a finger operated projectile slidably mounted in the play chute and exposed to view through both of the windows thereof, said projectile also being exposed in said finger IOO IIO

slot when in its starting position, means for catching and holding the projectile, and means for releasing the projectile.

8. In an apparatus ofthe class described, a casing having an exhibiting panel provided with a plurality of scoring designations, and with a play chute having a front observation window and a finger slot below such window, a finger operated playing projectile slidably mounted in the chute and adapted to be exposed in itsstarting positon within said fmger slot, means for catching and holding the projectile at a plurality of elevations, and means for releasing the projectile to permit the same to fall by gravity to its starting point. Y

4. In an apparatus ofthe class described, a casing having an exhibiting panel provided with a plurality of spaced scoring designations, and with a play chute having a Yfront observation window and a finger slot below said window, a guard pin arranged at the upper end of the iinger slot7 a finger operated projectile slidably mounted in the chute and adapted to lie in a starting position exposed within said iinger slot, said playing projectile carrying a catch element, a projectile catcher arranged to be engaged by said catch element of the projectile at a plurality of elevations, and a locking and releasing device co-operating' with said catcher. e

5. In an apparatus ofthe class described, a casing having an exhibiting panel provided with a plurality of scoring designations, and with a play chute arranged at one side oi' said panel, a iinger operated projectile slidablyy mounted in said play chute and provided at one end with a strike cushion and at one side with a spring catch dog, a shi'ftable retaining catch bar having a series of ratchet teeth adapted to be engaged by the dog of the projectile, a combined locking and releasing device comprising means for locking said bar in operative relation to the projectile and also permitting the bar to move to an inoperative position, and a setting device for said bar.

1 6. In an apparatus of the class described, a casing having an exhibiting panel provided with a plurality of scoring designations, :1. iinger operated projectile slidably mounted in the casing and having a spring catch dog, a spring retracted ratchet catch bar mounted in the casing and arranged to be shifted into and out of the path of movement of the dog of said projectile, said bar being provided at one side with clearance notches, a locking device consisting of a pair of connected pivotally mounted dogs adapted to move at one side of the bar into and out of the plane of the clearance notches thereof, and a spring projected setting slide mounted in one side of the casing and adapted to operate againstsaid ratchet catch bar.

In testimony whereof I hereunto a'llx my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FLORENTINE Il. KISIIIER.

Iitnesses:

JOSEPH F. W'rLLmMs, G. GREENWOOD. 

